The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways. In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip. Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor. An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked–spectacularly naked–in his living room. Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore—not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun. Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we’re quickly becoming each other’s addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything. All we have to do is trust enough to fall.
AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | B&N
EXCERPT:
I clear my throat. “While I was eating my ice cream—” He snorts, but remains tense. “I thought about how you looked familiar to me.” “It was the guilt haunting you.” “Or … And I’m just throwing this out there. You’re Jax Blackwood.” He actually flinches. “Fuck. You recognized me.” “It was bound to happen. John? Really?” His chin tips in a pugnacious angle. “It’s my name. John is … me. Jax is who I am onstage.” I picture him performing, all electric energy and raw passion and sheer talent. It’s a sight to behold. Hell, a couple of really hot fantasies have been induced by that sight. While I’m lost in a teen fantasy, his eyes dart around like he’s expecting someone to pop out from behind a snow mound and take his picture. Then his gaze snags on me. My expression must be slightly punch drunk, because his entire body leans away from mine. Not exactly flattering to realize he’s afraid I’ll try to lick his face or something. I snap my gaping mouth closed. “Oh, calm down. It’s not like I’m going to start squealing and try to grab your junk.” His expression lightens a little. “I think if you grabbed my junk, I’d be the one squealing.” “True. I have surprisingly strong hands.” When he stares at me in horror, I hold them up and wiggle my fingers. “Yoga. It’s highly effective.” “My balls just flinched in terror.” “Consider yourself warned.” He snorts but then glances at our building. “You really live here?” “Do you really think I hunted you down?” John—because I can’t seem to think of him as Jax—runs his hand through his damp hair, which makes his biceps bunch and twitch. “Yeah … that does sound crazy.” Crazy. This whole situation is. One day, I’m offered a four-month home in a dream condo, the next I’m standing on my stoop talking to a rock star. The biggest legend of my generation. I honestly don’t know how I’m not stammering right now. “I can’t believe we’re neighbors,” I say without thinking. His green eyes glint in the afternoon light, but he pauses and looks at me more closely. “You know, not to sound conceited here, but you’re kind of leering at me right now.” My chin snaps up like I’ve been hit, even as my body flushes with embarrassment. Shit. I totally had been leering. No, not leering. But I had been staring at him in awe. Ugh. “Well, you do sound conceited. I was simply making polite eye contact.” Liar McLiar-Face.
REVIEW:
4.25 stars
****
This was a very good book! Fall is book three in the VIP series and is Stella and Jax/John's book. Jax is his rockstar persona, but in his everyday life, he is John. He is in the band Kill John and, as we saw in previous books, has a problem with depression and he attempted suicide. He is still recovering from that time in his life and living in New York, while the band is on hiatus off doing their own things. He meets Stella at the grocery store, when they fight over the last ice cream in the store in the middle of a blizzard and end up kissing. Later, Stella is hired to pet sit for Killian, whose apartment is next to John's, and they meet again. The two have crazy chemistry and become friends, which leads to a relationship. They have a lot to deal with emotionally, but it all works out in the end.
Fall made me feel so many emotions! I loved Stella and Jax. They are both a little lost and lonely. I hurt for both characters at different times throughout the book, but I really loved and identified with Stella and her loneliness and bravery. I cried for her several times. Stella and Jax were just what each other needed. They were sexy, romantic, sweet and had such great chemistry. There is a bit of a slow burn, but I didn't care one bit. You could feel the love between them. They both had an innocence on relationships and there was an awe at the newness of love between them. I loved their journey to falling in love. Stella and Jax were great together- loving, fun, and sexy, but emotional and understanding of each others' faults.
This is not a super light, fluffy book. There are some heavy subjects tackled. Jax has attempted suicide in the past and deals with depression. He also has an issue with an STD to deal with and the press. Stella has a few problems of her own too and is a bit lost. This book is emotional, but there are some moments of lightness, happiness and swooniness in between the deep stuff. Stella and Jax are both unique characters and are funny together. It was not a doom and gloom book. Both Stella and Jax are trying to be better and overcome their pasts. There is a feeling of hopefulness for the future.
I did feel like the conflict was resolved at the very end, which I don't love. I needed a bit more resolution and to see some happier times afterwards. Still, despite that issue, this book was very good. There is a good epilogue that made me feel better about their future and Stella's trust of Jax.
I was a little worried that Fall would not live up to Managed, which was one of my favorite books last year. But I was worried for nothing as it definitely did. Kristen Callihan is so talented and her writing has such depth. She writes very real feeling, identifiable, complicated characters with so many layers. I have really enjoyed this series. Fall was everything I hoped it would be. Emotional, sexy, sweet, funny and swoony. I can't wait for more from this series and Ms. Callihan!
Fall made me feel so many emotions! I loved Stella and Jax. They are both a little lost and lonely. I hurt for both characters at different times throughout the book, but I really loved and identified with Stella and her loneliness and bravery. I cried for her several times. Stella and Jax were just what each other needed. They were sexy, romantic, sweet and had such great chemistry. There is a bit of a slow burn, but I didn't care one bit. You could feel the love between them. They both had an innocence on relationships and there was an awe at the newness of love between them. I loved their journey to falling in love. Stella and Jax were great together- loving, fun, and sexy, but emotional and understanding of each others' faults.
This is not a super light, fluffy book. There are some heavy subjects tackled. Jax has attempted suicide in the past and deals with depression. He also has an issue with an STD to deal with and the press. Stella has a few problems of her own too and is a bit lost. This book is emotional, but there are some moments of lightness, happiness and swooniness in between the deep stuff. Stella and Jax are both unique characters and are funny together. It was not a doom and gloom book. Both Stella and Jax are trying to be better and overcome their pasts. There is a feeling of hopefulness for the future.
I did feel like the conflict was resolved at the very end, which I don't love. I needed a bit more resolution and to see some happier times afterwards. Still, despite that issue, this book was very good. There is a good epilogue that made me feel better about their future and Stella's trust of Jax.
I was a little worried that Fall would not live up to Managed, which was one of my favorite books last year. But I was worried for nothing as it definitely did. Kristen Callihan is so talented and her writing has such depth. She writes very real feeling, identifiable, complicated characters with so many layers. I have really enjoyed this series. Fall was everything I hoped it would be. Emotional, sexy, sweet, funny and swoony. I can't wait for more from this series and Ms. Callihan!
************
Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment